Why America cannot become a European-style social democracy

It has become abundantly clear during the first few months of the Obama Administration that he desires to emulate Europe in socialization of our democracy. But it won't work. The reason that several European countries have had limited success in expanding social programs is that America has provided them with a huge subsidy in the form of our military dominance. Nations not encumbered by the cost of completely defending their own territory have a few extra bucks in the treasury to spend on feel-good programs. However, should the U.S. choose a similar political path under Obama, those same countries will have to pick up the slack in defending themselves, as the Democrats here use cuts in the military budget to help fund their own social programs.

The result? Either those nations currently depending on American military might will have to go on as in the past and increase their exposure to foreign aggressors, or the social programs of which they are so proud will begin to founder. They could, perhaps, delay the inevitable by raising taxes to pay for both, but the resulting damage to their economy would eventually lead to the same outcome. European leaders who are aware of the risk have been critical of the Obama "over-spending to prosperity" plan. Apparently, the Democrats pushing through the spending bills are either unsympathetic or clueless, neither an endearing trait. It would seem that as America seeks to emulate the Europeans, the Europeans may well be forced to drift away from socialism to survive. How ironic.